What can you make from foam rubber with your own hands for the home with your children?

Crafts made from foam rubber are one of the most interesting areas of handicraft, which is enjoyed by both children and adults. And the production of life-size dolls and masks made of polyurethane foam has long been put on a professional basis. So it is not surprising that the number of people who want to learn how to make crafts from foam rubber with their own hands is growing every day. But in order to be truly pleased with the result of many hours of effort, you will need high-quality polyurethane foam. We’ll tell you right now how to choose foam for soft toys and other crafts.

We decide on the design and construction of the product

Anyone can make an ottoman with their own hands, regardless of skill level. Some of the available ones will be models made from plastic bottles or tires. With a little more effort, you can make a pouf from boards. And if you have carpentry skills, you can easily make a wooden pouf with drawers. Having experience in cutting and sewing, you can create a unique product of any shape and model.

According to the instructions, you will receive a high-quality, original piece of furniture that will serve you for a long time.

Summing up

As you can see, making a mattress with your own hands is quite a feasible task. What is needed for this?

1. The desire to see things through to the end and a determined attitude.
2. Determination of needs (size, height, desired degree of rigidity).
3. A little theoretical knowledge (about the types of fillers, adhesives, fabrics for covering).
4. Availability of quality materials.
5. Accuracy in work, precision of movements, patience, perseverance.
6. The cover and mattress cover can be sewn yourself or to order.

Photos of crafts from scrap materials for the garden

In conclusion, we can say that from such simple materials as a bottle, wood or old tires, you can make real works of art. The main thing is that this does not require a lot of money, only our imagination and a couple of unnecessary things. Let's see a photo of what else can be made for a dacha from various scrap materials - you can use not only the most popular ones, but also polystyrene foam, metal, old dishes, shoes and clothes, unnecessary furniture, records and CDs and other unnecessary things.

How to sew a mattress cover?

Mattress cover. The principle of sewing a mattress cover is similar to the algorithm for sewing a mattress cover. The difference is that a mattress pad does not have to fit as tightly around the mattress as a cover does.

With corner elastic bands. You can limit yourself to sewing a simplified thick mattress cover-dust cover with corner elastic bands.

With elastic around the perimeter. Another simple model: a mattress cover with sides, held in place by an elastic band pulled into the drawstring (along the perimeter).

Garden figurines from scrap materials

Well, here you can have a blast, because there are no limits to your imagination. You can make entire sketches on the theme of your favorite animals or cartoon characters.

To implement the idea we will need one of the materials. It could be plaster, foam, clay, or something like that. We choose our favorite animal and begin to sculpt it from the material. When the character is ready, you can paint it and secure it with clear varnish.

Such figures actually cost very well in specialized stores. And this way we will not only save money, but also get real pleasure from work. The work may seem quite complicated, but when you take on it, believe that everything is far from what it seems at first glance.

Which mattress is better - cotton or foam?

Inexpensive mattress options - cotton and foam

Polyurethane foam is a synthetic material. This filler does not cause allergic reactions. The base, made of polyurethane foam, is light and elastic, durable in use. The cover can be removed and washed; it is usually made with a clasp or zipper.

Foam products are light, porous, dry quickly and are well ventilated

Cotton is heavy, made from natural materials - cotton. Vata is a lush, soft material. Cotton is softer and more comfortable. PPU is light, soft and comfortable.

Cotton mattresses are made from natural materials, but do not have a pronounced orthopedic effect

The main advantage of cotton products is the use of cotton for their manufacture. Thanks to this, the base of the mattress retains heat well. But over time, microbes and bacteria can appear in it, since this material is natural. In the synthetic version, this will not happen. But synthetics are sensitive to moisture.

Made from silicone sealant

Making squishies with your own hands from silicone sealant, you can feel like a real sculptor.

Wear rubber gloves. Take a tube of silicone sealant. Squeeze some of the contents onto a flat surface. Sprinkle the silicone with dry starch. Now you will need to knead the dough from these two ingredients. When it reaches the desired consistency, mold it into a figure.

Color your squishy with markers. Let it sit for a day to dry completely.

Advantages of crafts from scrap materials

Before we proceed directly to making our crafts, think about what advantages they have.

1. A fun time for the whole family. It is not without reason that they say that a common cause unites people. That’s how it is here, having some kind of idea, you can all implement it together, and at the same time get even closer.
2. Development of imagination and creative ideas. Undoubtedly, when you come up with or design something, creative thinking begins to work, which brings a lot of pleasure and useful time.

• Saving on materials, because we can use things that we already have, rather than buying new ones. It could be:
• Tree.
• Styrofoam.
• Old tires.
• Barrels.
• Plastic bottles.
• Pebbles.

This is not the entire list and it can be continued for a very long time. The main thing is to have an idea, and the materials for its implementation will definitely be found.

• DIY crafts will make you proud of your work, and you can show them off to your friends.

Key points in caring for foam products

1-2 times a month, the mattress needs to be turned over to the other side and the position of the legs and shoulders changed to prevent caking

As time passes, experts recommend turning the product on different sides every 2 weeks. To keep it clean and fresh, it needs a sufficient amount of air. It is necessary to frequently ventilate the room in which the bed is located. Foam rubber products must be cleaned using cleaning products. Once a month you need to vacuum it.

To prevent dust from accumulating in the mattress, you need to remove it with a vacuum cleaner.

You can also use soap solutions to clean the mattress, but do not use large amounts of moisture. It must be remembered that it must be dry and clean. Moisture can quickly ruin it.

How to make a soft bunny with your own hands

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

What do you need

• Thick cardboard;
• compass;
• ruler;
• scissors;
• brown, gray, white or black thick yarn;
• gray, beige or white felt;
• pink felt;
• glue gun;
• white pompom;
• black beads;
• fishing line;
• pink bead.

How to make a toy

From cardboard, cut out two circles with a diameter of 10 cm with a round hole in the middle with a diameter of 3.5 cm. And two more circles with a diameter of 8 cm with the same hole in the center.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Place identical pieces together. Make a cut and remove a small piece of cardboard as shown in the photo.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Wrap the workpiece with yarn, slightly short of the edges of the cut.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Cut the thread and hide it. Cut the yarn in a circle between the two cardboard pieces.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Pass a new piece of yarn between the same parts and tie the threads in the center. Remove the cardboard and trim the pom pom with scissors. Using another piece, make a second pompom.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Fold gray, white or beige felt in half and cut out two identical pieces in the shape of long ears. Cut out two smaller pieces of the same size from pink felt. Glue the small pieces onto the larger ones.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Coat the bottom of the ears with glue and fold them in half. Glue the pompoms together. Glue a small white pompom to the body. You can buy ready-made or make it yourself. Glue the ears to the top of the head.

Shot: @Isa's World / YouTube

Make eyes from black beads. Wrap the fishing line several times around a small long piece of paper. Carefully remove the line and trim it along the edges. Thread into a pink bead and tie. Glue the resulting nose with a mustache to the hare's head.

How to make a mattress smaller at home?

If for some reason the finished mattress cannot be returned, but needs to be reduced in size (shortened, narrowed), you will need to perform 5 simple steps.

1. Undo the sheathing on the desired side.
2. Use a marker and a long strip to mark.
3. Cut off the springless block (if necessary, disconnect part of the spring block).
4. Shorten (narrow) the sheathing accordingly.
5. Carefully sew up the cover.

Damage to a foam mattress

Is such a mattress harmful to human health? Foam rubber is made from synthetic components and has low orthopedic characteristics. The foam rubber of the mattress is uncomfortable for sleeping and night rest. This filler releases chemicals in small quantities. They are dangerous and harmful to health.

The filler does not withstand direct sunlight, its structure is susceptible to moisture

What types are there?

There are many options for fillers, let’s look at the most popular ones available.

Polyurethane foam

Used in frame and frameless sofa models. It is a foamed synthetic base of varying densities: the furniture option must meet a minimum of 30 kg per m2. If it’s lower, you can’t dream of a long service life. Much higher - it will sit too hard.

Spring block

Spring blocks, as in mattresses, can be dependent or independent.

• The first, the bonnell type, are cheap, but inferior in quality and durability - after a while, individual parts will begin to make squeaks.
• Independent spring blocks are a modern design in which the parts are individually “dressed” in separate bags. There will be no trouble with them in the form of a protruding spring; they are comfortable, durable, but more expensive.

Since blocks with independent springs are installed inside high-quality sofas, we will analyze the pros and cons of this option.

Latex

It may surprise you, but latex is a completely natural filler! It contains rubber tree sap, which is given a porous texture using special technology.

Sintepon

Synthetic polyester fibers form the basis of the non-woven material. They are used in the manufacture of clothing, bedspreads and, of course, furniture production. Usually acts as a layer between upholstery and other filling, synthetic down is used in decorative pillows.

Periotec

The composition of the fabric is no different from padding polyester - the same polyester fibers. But the structure of the filler is different: the dense base layer is supplemented with two reinforcing ones, and the whole “pie” together guarantees long service.

To increase elasticity, flax, bamboo, wool, and viscose are added to polyester during production. Because of the additives, the final properties of the products also differ: some will be of better quality in terms of durability, others will be more resistant to deformation.

Struttofiber

Some call this unusual material the best alternative to an insert made of independent springs. And this is completely justified. Elastic artificial fibers, laid vertically during the production process, maintain their position under any load and guarantee maximum elasticity.

Felt

Natural material. It is made by felting the wool of goats or sheep. The characteristics are primarily tied to the naturalness of origin.

Felt is used exclusively as an addition: to increase thickness, protect steel springs, and the inner layer.

Foam rubber

Just as copying machines are called photocopiers, and diapers are called pampers, polyurethane foam is called foam rubber. In essence, foam rubber is less elastic (and, accordingly, lower quality) polyurethane foam. There are sheets of different densities - the lower the number, the less the product will last with it.

Holofiber

There are two options for synthetic material - balls (used in the production of pillows, blankets, outerwear) or sheets. The latter are used in furniture.

It’s worth noting right away: holofiber has practically no disadvantages, so it makes no sense to consider them. Let's dwell on the advantages:

• Safety. Does not cause allergies, does not collect dust, is not suitable for mites or fungal colonies.
• Versatility. Depending on the need, it is suitable for different rooms: children's rooms (hypoallergenic), kitchens (does not absorb odors), living rooms (the sofa can withstand heavy loads).
• Durability. The padding polyester wrinkles much less and quickly restores its shape.

Durafil

The second non-woven spring substitute after struttofiber. The fiber is based on polyester. Their vertical arrangement on the base makes it possible to obtain a filler with high elasticity.

Durafil has no disadvantages, but the advantages of the filler speak for themselves:

• Hypoallergenic. For any rooms, family compositions.
• Elastic. Recovers quickly after exercise.
• Hygienic. Does not accumulate dust, has antimicrobial characteristics.
• Reliable. The filler is guaranteed to last ~10 years.

Lamels

Found in sleep models, they are needed to support soft fillers and orthopedic effect. Elastic lamellas make up a “skeleton”, which is later overgrown with “meat” in the form of springs or polyurethane foam, a layer, a cover.

Only needed in models for sleeping, because... contribute to uniform distribution of the load across the filler, thereby increasing the quality of sleep.

Coir

Coconut coir is considered a natural filler, because it is based on the “skin” of an exotic fruit. But in fact, fibers are often treated with latex or other substances to extend their service life and improve their properties.

The main advantage of the filler is environmental friendliness - no harmful fumes. Among the disadvantages - even despite the treatment, the coir will crumble and collapse, and if there is no gasket between it and the upholstery, it will lick out, it will be unpleasant to prick.

Silicone squishies (silicone sealant)

First way

Necessary materials:

• silicone sealant;
• sunflower oil;
• yellow, orange and brown paint;
• sponge.

How to do:

1. We will make our own squishies in the form of a fried egg. Pour about 150-200 ml of oil into a deep plate. Squeeze out a little silicone there and knead the sealant with your hands until it becomes like plasticine. We repeat the procedure. You should get two silicone balls.
2. We lay one of them out in a layer, imitating the white of a scrambled egg, and press a hole in the middle for the yolk. Let the silicone dry a little. After a couple of hours, use a sponge to paint the future yolk and give the edges of the white a brown tint. It will be more realistic.
3. All that remains is to place the yolk in the recess and let the sealant dry completely.

Second way

Necessary materials:

• silicone sealant;
• starch;
• markers.

How to do:

1. Let's make a unicorn head. Pour starch into a plate. We put the required amount of sealant on top and make a head - give the figure a round shape, use our fingers to form a horn, ears and nose.
2. Let the head dry for about an hour. Then you can color the unicorn with markers. Allow the sealant to dry completely - and the squishy is ready!

Economical option

Polyurethane foam from the standard line with a density of 25 kg/m3 (st25) is rightfully considered the most economical and most suitable for handmade creativity. This is both soft and elastic material with a fairly high load-bearing capacity, from which you can make anything: from life-size dolls to soft toys. The main thing is to choose sheets of suitable thickness. And since the line of standard foams of the st25 brand includes foam rubber with a thickness of 10 to 200 mm, buying the necessary material will not be difficult.